Tyrone legend Peter Canavan believes Diarmuid Connolly's absence gives the pretenders to Dublin's throne a glimmer of hope.

Speaking to the Irish Independent at the launch of Sky Sport's 2018 championship schedule, the two-time All-Ireland winner highlighted the match winning contribution the St Vincent's ace made off the bench in last year's All-Ireland final against Mayo and added: "This is the first time maybe where you could say Gavin is not in complete control, whereby it appears Diarmuid Connolly has definitely ruffled a few feathers.

"Up until that point, Dublin has been so well marshalled, and co-ordinated and organised, very little was getting out of the camp. That comes with winning, and they've been so successful."

He continued: "It will give other teams hope and confidence. They played games without Stephen Cluxton in the league and looked a different team without him.

"But if there is any team that can cope with it and has the personnel and depth, it's probably Dublin. Of course, he is a loss to them, but they still have a strong panel."

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